Chapter 12
CHAPTER
TWELVE
Julie
Yak has already fought three men. I thought he would be getting tired by now, but he looks as energized as he did when he first stepped into the ring.
At first, I was scared. I don’t enjoy violence really, but the more I watched him dominate, the sexier I found it. The sweat glistening on his skin. His cocky smirk whenever he is named the winner.
Still, I don’t understand why he is fighting at all.
“Yooper,” I say loud enough for the man to hear.
He hasn’t left my side once throughout the fight. He has offered to have drinks brought over, but he refuses to leave my side.
His eyes have been on the fight, though. I see the way his lips move as he watches. He looks worried, and I don’t understand why.
“What do you need?” he asks kindly, giving me his full attention.
“What is this all for? Why is he the only one who has to keep fighting?”
Yooper frowns. “He didn’t tell you?”
I shake my head, which makes him curse.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to watch his language, but I bite back the natural response. I don’t think this is the time or place for that.
“I’m only telling you this because you deserve to know.
Usually, I would make him do his own dirty work.
” He sighs, leaning in closer to me so he can keep his tone low.
“In our chapter, when a brother claims a woman as his old lady, we don’t vote on it.
We bring it here, and he stands up and fights for her.
Usually, it’s only a fight or two to make it interesting, but you have caused quite a stir. You see that man over there?”
He nods toward the man with the evil eyes. The one who tried to hurt me before.
“Yes.”
“He didn’t take kindly to Yak claiming you the way he did. It’s not the way we do things, so I think he is making an example of him,” he admits.
“Then why let him? Aren’t you the leader?” I ask.
He winces. “I am, but there are things even I cannot interfere with. This was our way before we were Kings. It’s a tradition that we have kept. Without a vote from the council members, I cannot stop it. I won’t get their approval on this, though.”
“So, what happens if he loses?” I ask, my stomach souring.
“You are up for dibs again, and the winner can claim their spoils,” Yooper says with a sympathetic look on his face.
I look back to the ring as Yak takes out the next challenger with ease. He looks strong. He’s got this.
“So, he needs to win this in order to make me his old lady?” I ask.
He nods. “Yes.”
“How long could that take?”
He frowns. “Until we run out of challengers.”
I swallow hard, my eyes focusing back on the fight.
Yooper lets me sit with my thoughts as we watch in silence.
The crowd around us is rabid, though. They want blood, which they get when the newest challenger manages to land a punch on Yak’s face, splitting his eyebrow open. I gasp when I see it, but I keep quiet.
I want to yell out to him. To tell him what, I don’t know. Be safe? Win? Stop it all?
This isn’t my territory, though. It’s his. I know he would want me to keep my mouth shut and stay by Yooper.
Another three fights later, and I can see it finally affecting him. He’s moving slower. He has more injuries. He isn’t dodging the punches quite as well.
That’s when he steps forward. Aragon. The man who doesn’t like to be told no.
He walks into the center of the mats, looking over at me with a wicked smile. Yak steps in front of him, blocking me from his view. I can’t hear what is said, but I can see by the way Yak tenses that it’s not good.
I cross my arms, attempting to comfort myself as the man who has been playing referee starts the fight.
This isn’t like the other fights, though. Every other fight, they hopped around one another, learning from each other. Aragon doesn’t need to wait, though. He’s been watching through seven fights. He knows how Yak fights, and he knows where his injuries are.
As soon as the referee steps back, Aragon makes his move. He manages to land a hit on Yak’s side. Yak moves away, but I can see the way he grabs the spot. He’s hurt.
I wince as Aragon makes another move, landing two punches as Yak covers his head.
Yak has a plan, though. At least, I think he does. He manages to land a punch before Aragon jumps back.
I don’t know anything about fighting, so I hope it’s strategy as Yak keeps allowing Aragon to get close to him. Close enough to strike and cause harm.
Yak is getting his own jabs in, though. He is fighting tooth and nail for this win. It has me appreciating him more than he realizes. I don’t know how or why, but this man seems to think it is his job to save me.
Aragon lands a particularly rough-looking punch, sending Yak to the ground. I push up on my tiptoes attempting to see him. I can’t, which has tears prickling my eyes.
Please be okay. I need you to be okay.
When he stands back up, I see him wipe blood from his mouth. He spits off to the side before he rushes Aragon.
Everything happens quickly after that. The sound of skin hitting skin is drowned out by the cheers from the crowd. I don’t even know who is hitting who anymore. They are so close together, and I am sitting far enough back that I can’t tell what is going on.
I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for it all to be over with, praying like heck that Yak comes out the winner.
When the men fall to the ground together, my hand reaches out and grabs Yooper’s arm as I try to make myself taller. He doesn’t complain.
Then I hear the referee call out numbers.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
The crowd cheers as both men stand from the ground. They each look like they have been beat half to death.
My heart is in my throat as I wait to hear who won.
Then the referee raises Yak’s hand, and I clap wildly.
Yak meets my eyes, a bloody smirk on his face.
He won.
I’m his.
Yak
Predator calls out for any more challengers, but no one steps forward.
The only reason so many did before was because of Aragon, but now that he’s had his ass handed to him, there is no one left willing to fight me for what is mine.
I smirk at her, feeling the blood in my mouth. She is clapping, a smile on her face.
Fuck she’s beautiful.
As soon as Predator announces the whole thing over, I stride toward her, the crowd parting for me. I spit before I wipe my mouth, as I am within steps of her. Then I pick her up and kiss her deeply.
I wonder if she will pull back. Deny me my prize in front of my brothers.
I shouldn’t have worried, though. She kisses me back as deeply as I kiss her. I know she tastes the blood in my mouth, but she doesn’t seem to care, and neither do I.
“Brother.” Yooper breaks the moment.
I pull back and see the cut made especially for her.
“Angel, take off your jacket,” I tell her.
She does as I ask, handing it to Yooper. Then I show her the cut. Her eyes light up as she turns and lets me put it on her.
She looks back at me, a proud look on her face.
There across her back are the words I never thought I would see on a woman.
Property of Yak.
“You’re mine now. No one will take you from me. That’s a fucking promise,” I growl.
“Language,” she teases, a smile on her face.
“I’ll show you language. Yooper, we are going to my room. I don’t want to be disturbed.” I don’t take my eyes off of Julie.
Her cheeks heat at my words.
“Understood. You deserve it. Good fighting.” He claps me on my back before handing me my jacket.
I toss it over my shoulder, then I pick Julie up “Wrap your legs around me,” I demand.
She does as I ask without question.
My body is filled with adrenaline. I am amped up, and even though my muscles are screaming at me, I need to let out this energy somehow.
I won’t force her, but I am hoping like hell Julie is willing to help a brother out.
I march my way through the crowd, my lips sneaking kisses of her skin as people congratulate us. I ignore each and every one, not stopping until the door to my room clicks shut behind us, the lock being flipped to ensure our privacy.
When I set Julie down on her feet, she looks up at me, worry in her eyes.
“You’re bleeding.”
I wipe her lip, hating that my blood is marring her. She should never be bloody. That’s my job. I’m the one who takes every single hit for her so she never has to. I’ll bleed every day for the rest of my life if it means she never has to know pain.
“It’s nothing. Are you okay?” I ask.
She nods. “No one bothered me.”
I didn’t think they would. They would be an idiot to try and mess with her with the president of the club at her side. It’s why I put her there. I knew my brother would protect her. If I had lost, she would have been gone before Aragon could claim her. It was my contingency plan.
“I’m fine. I do need a shower, though, and I don’t want to leave you here alone. Will you come with me?”
This feels like dejà vu, except before she was asking me to stay with her.
She bites her lip then nods. “Only if you let me clean you up. Do you have a first aid kit?”
I nod, grabbing her hand to lead her back out of the room.
The hallway is quiet, which I’m thankful for. Now that the fight is over, everyone will be getting wasted, meaning we will have peace for a little while.
Slipping into the shared bathroom, I lock the door before turning the shower on.
“The first aid kit is under there.” I point to the sink, then I strip quickly and jump in the shower.
My eyes stay on her as I wash my body. I keep hoping she will take a peek. That she is as curious as I am about whatever this is between us. Chemistry? Tension? Whatever it is, I can feel it pulling me closer. I refuse to act on it unless she gives me a sign. Anything.
I’m about to give up when I see it. The slight tilt of her head as she pretends to look through the first aid kit. I look in the mirror, and my eyes lock on hers. She averts her gaze quickly, but I saw it. The interest.
My cock twitches at the thought. I consider fucking my hand right here for her to see, but decide against it. My Angel deserves better than that.
Turning off the shower, I towel-dry. Wrapping the towel around my waist, I turn to look at her.
“Sit there.” She points to the toilet.
I do, waiting for her next instruction. She doesn’t give one, though. Instead, she pushes her way between my legs. My hands reach up to grip her waist as if on instinct. Her breathing is coming a bit faster, but she focuses on her task.
“This might hurt,” she whispers.
I don’t respond. Instead, I stare at her face as she dabs hydrogen peroxide against my cut. It does burn, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. She glances into my eyes, a worried look in hers.
“I’m tougher than you think, Angel,” I whisper back.
She gives me a small smile. “I can see that. How many guys did you fight again? Seven?”
I squeeze her hips, making her breath catch. “I’d fight a thousand more to keep you safe. I keep my promises.”
She licks her lips, drawing my attention to them. I didn’t get to fully enjoy our kiss before. I was high off the win, and my mind was chaotic. It’s more stable now. Don’t get me wrong, adrenaline is still pumping through my blood, but I want to taste her with a clearer head.
“I’m going to kiss you,” I tell her.
She pushes me back by my forehead when I go to lean in.
“Save it, Casanova. I need to butterfly bandage your brow. You’re screwed on the lip. Nothing I can do for it.”
I watch as she leans in, concentrating on her work. My hands skim up her sides, making her shiver.
“Jameson,” she hisses.
“It’s making me feel better. Isn’t that your goal?”
She gives me an unimpressed look. Then she backs up and smiles at my face.
“Let me see the rest of your body,” she says, then her eyes widen at her words.
I stand, dropping the towel without hesitation.
“I didn’t mean that. I meant the bruises. Your injuries.” She covers her eyes. “Please put it back on.”
I chuckle, loving how sassy she can be one minute then shy the next. I pick up the towel and wrap it back around my waist. Then I grab my clothes in one hand and her in the other, leading her back to my room.
Once inside, I find her a T-shirt and hand it to her before I put on a pair of boxers.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
“We are going to sleep. As sexy as that dress is, I figured you’d be more comfortable in that.” I nod to the shirt in her hand.
“Why can’t I go home?”
I move closer to her, running my nose along hers. “I just fought seven men for you. To claim you as mine. You think they won’t question it if I take you home?”
“Oh.”
That’s all she says. Stepping back from me, she carefully takes the cut I gave her off.
She sets it to the side where I set mine.
Then she peels her dress over her head, leaving her in a strapless bra and panties.
I take in my fill, not bothering to look away as she glares at me.
She holds her ground, though, sliding the shirt on before she removes her bra and sets it to the side.
Without a word, she crawls into my bed, then waits.
I shut off the light before climbing in next to her.
“Good night, Angel.”
“Good night, Jameson.”
Then I lie there waiting for her to fall asleep.